SACRAMENTO,
Calif. –With a year-long statewide campaign, the California Highway Patrol
(CHP) is working with the California Office of Traffic Safety to combat
distracted driving by changing the habits of adult drivers through educational
and enforcement efforts.
For the Adult Distracted Drivers campaign, which
started October 1, the CHP will conduct at least 100 distracted driving enforcement
operations and at least 600 traffic safety presentations statewide. Simply changing driving habits can help stop
distracted driving.
“Our goal
with this grant is to educate the public about the hazards associated with
distracted driving,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “The CHP will continue to encourage drivers
to discontinue the deadly habit so everyone can reach their destination safely.”
Each year,
distracted drivers kill or injure thousands of people. Distracted driving is a habit that can be
broken. The campaign will remind drivers
that the likelihood of being involved in an automobile accident increases
dramatically if they drive distracted.
Cell
phones are the top distraction for drivers because they have become central to
daily life. Steering, braking, and focusing on the roadway are priorities while
driving. A person trying to drive and
use a cell phone at the same time cannot do either very well.
“Texting
while driving results in longer reaction times than drunk driving. When driving, your attention must be on
safety,” Commissioner Stanley added. “Nothing on that phone is worth
endangering your life or anyone else’s.”
Funding
for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic
Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
###
